Miles finished off his coffee and popped up from the couch like a spring was attached to his ass. “Mimosas!”
“I meantfood.”
“Your stepsister is marrying your ex in a few hours. I think alcohol for breakfast is what’s on the menu.”
He had a point. “Okay. But I need some food, too. You know how giggly I get when I’m drunkandnervous. Icannotburst out in laughter during the ceremony.”
Famous last words…
CHAPTER 4
Sutton
“If anyone can show just cause why these two may not lawfully marry, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
“Heeheehee.”Shit.I slapped my hand over my mouth, but it was too late. All heads in the church turned to the second row, including the bride and groom’s. Colette’s brows pinched, but when she saw who the sound had come from, her face softened with sympathy. I waved a hand and pointed to my throat. “Sorry. Just a tickle.”
Meanwhile Miles sat next to me, about to blow. The two of us had been giggly guzzlers since eighth grade when we stole a bottle of tequila from my mother’s liquor cabinet to celebrate his thirteenth birthday. We’d gotten caught because we couldn’t stop laughing in math class. Miles’s shoulders started to shake, and I just knew that if he got started, neither of us was going to be able to stop. Luckily, it was nearing the end of the ceremony, and I managed to keep any further outburst under lock and key. Though by the time the priest pronounced the happy couple husband and wife, a full-on belly laugh was dying to escape. The minute mystepsister and her smiling groom walked up the aisle, I made a beeline for the side door I’d been eyeing for the entire ceremony and let out a hyena-like laugh that ended in an unattractive snort. There was no way I could do the receiving line.
A voice startled me. “What’s so funny?”
I looked up to find none other than the Daddy Dom standing there. And was that ajointhe was smoking? At church? I forgot all about the shock of finding someone outside and fell into a second round of laughter. Tears rolled down my face as I released all of the alcohol-driven fits of giggles. My entire face was probably streaked with mascara, but I didn’t care.
Jagger watched in silence, looking amused. When I finally got ahold of myself, he tilted his head. “Care to let me in on the joke?”
“This entire day is one big, fat joke.”
He squinted, but said nothing, waiting for me to elaborate. I didn’t.
“What areyoudoing out here?”
“I don’t like weddings.”
“Then why did you come?”
He tapped the lit end of the joint against the brick exterior of the church, extinguishing it, before turning his attention back to me. “Why is today a joke?”
I took a deep breath in and let out an audible sigh. “My stepsister just married my ex-boyfriend.”
“Come again?”
I smiled. “You heard me right.”
“And that’s…funny?”
“No. Yes. No.” I shook my head. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s not? I just get the giggles when I drink.” Jagger’s jaw flexed. I pointed to it. “Oh that’s right. You don’t like when I drink. It’s yourpreference.”
His eyes narrowed. “Are you mocking me?”
“What if I am? Will you put me over your knee andspankme? Is that what you’re into?”
Something flickered in his eyes. He took a step forward, but before he could say or do anything else, the door I’d spilled out of burst open again—this time producing my partner in crime, Miles. The newly anointed Daddy Dom retreated a step.
“Oh.” Miles grinned from ear to ear. “Sorry to interrupt.”
“Don’t be.” Jagger adjusted the knot on his tie. “If you ever see me near your friend again, please, make a point of interrupting.” Then he turned and walked away. Miles and I stared after him. He looked as confused as I felt.
“What the hell was that?” he asked.
